tara mergener in washington for us this morning. thank you so much. >>> the blown-out well in the gulf of mexico is one step closer to being permanently plugged this morning. the government said a relief well was connected to the blown-out bp well late thursday. the next step is pumping cement and mud through the relief well to seal the damaged well from the bottom. the final seal should take place sunday. >>> also in the gulf, hurricane karl gaining strength and baring down on the mexican coast, now a category 2 storm with sustained winds of 105 miles per hour expected to make landfall sometime late today as a stronger storm, some oil production in the gulf has been suspended. meanwhile hurricane igor has weakened, with sustained winds of 125 miles per hour. igor is expected to hit bermuda monday. >>> pope benedict meets with the leader of the anglican church in london today. the first official state visit by a pope to the uk. he arrived thursday and admitted the catholic church did not act quickly enough in the sex abuse scandal.